I actually can believe this. Cancer-linked flame retardants found in car interiors

quote:

---

Flame retardants in car seat foam may increase exposure to potentially cancer-causing chemicals—especially during the summer—according to a new study, and the researchers urge government officials to amend regulations to prohibit the use of flame retardants in cars to reduce health risks, as the safety and effectiveness of flame retardants faces growing scrutiny.

---

quote:

---

The researchers tested the cabin air of 101 electric, gas and hybrid cars across 30 states with a model year between 2015 and 2022 for potentially toxic flame retardants in both the winter and summer, according to the study published Tuesday in Environmental Science & Technology.

Flame retardants are used in many consumer products, like furniture, electronics and mattresses, and were added to car seat foam to meet requirements put in place by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 302, which was made to prevent or slow the spread of car-related fires.

This standard was set in the 1970s, and the study researchers are urging the NHTSA to update its standards to exclude the use of flame retardants due to their potentially harmful effects.

---